What is the meaning of Leviticus 5:16? Concerning any holy thing he has harmed “Regarding any holy thing he has harmed…” (Leviticus 5:16) • God had set apart certain items, tithes, and portions of sacrifices for His own use (Leviticus 22:2–3; Numbers 18:8–9). • To misuse, withhold, or damage what belongs to the Lord was treated as robbing God Himself (Malachi 3:8). • Even unintentional sin defiled the worshiper and the sanctuary, requiring immediate attention (Leviticus 4:2). He must make restitution • The offender is first called to repay what was lost or damaged. Restitution is a tangible confession that sin costs something (Exodus 22:1; Luke 19:8). • By restoring the exact value, the worshiper acknowledges God’s ownership and justice (Psalm 24:1). Adding a fifth of its value • “…by adding a fifth of its value to it…” • A 20 percent surcharge emphasized the seriousness of the offense (Leviticus 6:5; Numbers 5:7). • This extra amount served both as a penalty and a safeguard against treating sin lightly—there is always more lost through sin than what first appears (Proverbs 14:12). Giving it to the priest • “…and giving it to the priest…” • The restitution went to God’s representative (Numbers 5:8; Deuteronomy 18:1–5). • By placing the payment in the priest’s hands, the sinner publicly acknowledged that the debt was owed to the Lord, not merely to another human (Hebrews 5:1). The priest will make atonement with the ram as a guilt offering • “who will make atonement on his behalf with the ram as a guilt offering…” • Restitution alone could not cleanse sin; a substitutionary sacrifice was essential (Leviticus 5:14–15; 7:1–7). • The ram stood in the sinner’s place, foreshadowing the perfect sacrifice of Christ, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29; Hebrews 9:22; 1 Peter 3:18). He will be forgiven • “…and he will be forgiven.” • When restitution and sacrifice were complete, God promised full pardon (Leviticus 4:20; Psalm 103:12). • This forgiveness restored fellowship with God and allowed the worshiper to rejoin the covenant community’s worship (Ephesians 1:7; 1 John 1:9). Summary Leviticus 5:16 teaches that sin against God’s holy things demands both restitution and a blood sacrifice. Returning what was taken, adding an extra fifth, and bringing a guilt-offering ram underscored the costliness of sin and God’s righteous claim on all that is His. Yet in His grace, the same God provided a path to full forgiveness through the priestly atonement—pointing ahead to the ultimate restitution and sacrifice accomplished by Christ on the cross. |
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